Jonny Bairstow 100th Test: Blue-eyed boy from Yorkshire who made it big

Jonny Bairstow became the 17th player in England’s cricket history to play 100 Tests when he took the field at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Bairstow, who said that he is an emotional guy and asked the people in the press box to get the tissues, had his mother and the entire family cheering for him at the stadium located in the misty mountains of a sleepy town in North India.

Son of a Proud Mother

In particular, the man from Yorkshire was proud to see his mother watch him play the 100th Test. Son of a father who shot himself to death. Jonny's father played four Tests and 21 ODIs for England and represented Yorkshire in County Cricket for 20 years, Bairstow credits his mother for raising him and his siblings the way she did.

"The strength and courage she's shown to bring us up and support us through the journey is huge. Without her, we wouldn't be here today,” Bairstow was quoted as saying to BBC Sport on the eve of his 100th Test.

A Lucky Coincidence at Dharamsala

Making his debut in 2012 for England, even ahead of Joe Root and Ben Stokes, Bairstow, like his father David, who also kept wickets for Yorkshire and England was called Bluey because he had blue eyes. Coincidentally, the 34-year-old played his 100th ODI at Dharamsala as well, when he represented England in the 2023 ODI World Cup against Bangladesh.

However, when it comes to choosing between grounds, he called HPCA ‘picturesque’ but Newlands at Cape Town would always remain his favourite. But more than the grounds, what matters to Bairstow is living his dream.

"It means a hell of a lot. Every young kid that sets out on a journey of playing professional cricket wants to try and play 100 Test matches," said Bairstow.

Joint Most Hundreds in Calendar Year for the Englishman

Bairstow had his best year in Test in 2022 when he smashed six centuries, which is half the total number of centuries the Englishman has hit in his entire career. It remains the joint highest number of centuries for an Englishman in a calendar year. Denis Compton is the other English batter to hit these many centuries in a single year.

Player	Year	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	100
DCS Compton (ENG)	1947	9	15	1159	208	82.78	6
JM Bairstow (ENG)	2022	10	19	1061	162	66.31	6
MP Vaughan (ENG)	2002	14	26	1481	197	61.7	6
JE Root (ENG)	2021	15	29	1708	228	61	6
IR Bell (ENG)	2011	8	11	950	235	118.75	5

In the elite list with Root and Vaughan

It was courtesy of the six centuries that Bairstow hit a record 1470 runs in 29 innings. It was the highest for an England player in 2022. However, this helped him get into a list of elite English players where only Joe Root and Michael Vaughan before him were able to hit more than 1450 runs in a calendar year.

Most Runs in a Calendar Year for England in Tests

Player	Year	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50
JE Root (ENG)	2021	15	29	1708	228	61	6	4
MP Vaughan (ENG)	2002	14	26	1481	197	61.7	6	2
JE Root (ENG)	2016	17	32	1477	254	49.23	3	10
JM Bairstow (ENG)	2016	17	29	1470	167*	58.8	3	8

Seventh highest run-scorer for England

Bairstow might not be one of the highest run-getters in the Test. But being an all-format has pushed him to the seventh position when it comes to most runs in international cricket for England.

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs	100
JE Root	2012-2024	342	445	19041	47
AN Cook	2006-2018	257	387	15737	38
KP Pietersen	2004-2014	275	340	13779	32
IR Bell	2004-2015	287	370	13331	26
GA Gooch	1975-1995	243	337	13190	28
AJ Stewart	1989-2003	303	397	13140	19
DI Gower	1978-1992	231	315	11401	25
JM Bairstow	2011-2024	276	338	11354	23

 

Stand with Stokes at Cape Town

What makes Bairstow stand out is his attacking approach in Test cricket, Though it hasn’t been on full display in this series so far, it was during the 399 runs stand between him and Stokes that showed what range of shots he has in store. His knock of 150 might not be the highest of his career, however, it was one of those that established him as one of the fiercest Test batters going around.

Maybe eight years later, he could channelise to bring the best in him once again in his 100th Test to try and salvage his career once again.